What You're Reading: Top Special Events Articles for November 2014

Light Show: Got Light Shares a Brilliant Lighting Gallery

Video mapping has become the leading and driving force for event design. Here, the San Francisco Ballet Gala at San Francisco City Hall with Blueprint Studios. Photo by Show Ready Photography.

24 Great Corporate Branding Ideas

For MasterCard Worldwide’s World’s Fair, held to foster employee engagement, celebrate MasterCard’s commitment to diversity and allow guests to connect with each other as they make up the fabric of the MasterCard brand, BKA created a 3-D, 400-piece puzzle installation that guests were to complete together during the course of MasterCard’s World’s Fair event. As guests arrived, they each received their own puzzle piece. Throughout the course of the evening, they were invited to fit their piece into its appropriate spot. In order to facilitate the process, BKA designed the puzzle by creating 20 different colored tiles, which each held 20 uniquely shaped pieces. When placed together in alternating depths, these 20 tiles created the overall 400-piece 3-D installation. Guests were able to match the color on the back of their puzzle piece to one of the tiles in the overall installation. This allowed attendees to zero in on their tile and tackle the 20-piece mini puzzle as opposed to the 400-piece overall installation.Once all of the puzzle pieces were in place, a graphic of a butterfly--the icon for MasterCard’s Global Diversity and Inclusion department--appeared along with the phrase: “When different people come together, it’s not just beautiful, it’s priceless.” The reaction to the piece was so positive among employees and senior level executives at MasterCard that they asked BKA to re-fit it to become a permanent installation in the corporate headquarters lobby. Photo by John Halpern.

Special Events Announces 2015 Gala Award Nominees

Special Events magazine today announces the nominees for the 2015 Gala Awards, the oldest and most prestigious award in events. This year, the magazine received entries from nine countries; the nominees were chosen by members of the Special Events Advisory Board.

Who Did the Chuppah? A Gallery of Wonderful Wedding Chuppahs

A floral-covered chuppah from A Stunning Affair. Floral by Peony & Plum; photo by Halberg Photographers.

Big Rental Companies Note Customization Trend

As party rental clients begin to spend more on special events, they want more--more customization. The big event rental companies profiled in the 17th annual Special Events "30 Top Rental Companies" say that along with rustic looks and farm-style tables, clients are calling for unique products to make their special events stand out.

Style Showcase: Rrivre Works Stages an Open House

Rrivre Works founder Rrivre Davies welcomes the media to an open house at his warehouse, showcasing his stunning wedding environments. Photos by Special Events.

2014-15 Event Trends from '50 Top' Companies

The results are in from the Special Events' 13th annual "50 Top Event Companies," and the No. 1 watchword: technology. Indeed, these big event producers are turning to tech to make events more responsive, more fun and more effective. Read on for more of their trend forecasts for this year and next.

Grand Gala: Blueprint Studios Oversees the S.F. Symphony Opening Night Gala

The 2014 Opening Night Gala for the San Francisco Symphony gets grand style from the team at Blueprint Studios. Photo by Irja Elisa Photography.

Brent Mumford to Take Helm at Classic Party Rentals Nov. 10

Los Angeles-based Classic Party Rentals, the biggest company in event rentals, announced Monday that Brent Mumford will take the role of CEO effective Nov. 10.

Wedded to Color: Significant Events of Texas Designs a Desi Wedding

A bridal couple honors their heritages with a brilliant, beautiful multi-day wedding designed by Significant Events of Texas. Photos by Shaun Menary Photography.